Monthly Archives: January 2015

LANSING, Mich. – State Sen. Peter MacGregor, R-Rockford, issued the following statement Tuesday after Gov. Rick Snyder delivered his 2015 State of the State address:

“I campaigned on a pledge to right-size state government and make it more effective and efficient. The governor’s announcement that he will combine the departments of Human Services and Community Health is a positive step in the right direction. By being proactive and addressing problems at their roots, rather than being reactive and chasing symptoms, we can help achieve these goals and improve the quality and delivery of services.

“I also appreciate that the governor continues to focus on education and improving our economy. Ensuring students are as prepared as possible to face an ever-changing workforce is key, and I think the governor’s efforts to link business needs with educational training, workforce development and skilled trades training is commendable.

“Jobs are a top priority, and while we have seen a vast improvement in terms of jobs created and a reduction in the rate of unemployment over the past four years, our state’s comeback is far from assured. Despite these accomplishments, we are again facing a budgetary shortfall and state government must continue the hard work of living within its means, as every Michigan family continues to do.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and House, and with the governor, to continue the vital work of fixing Michigan.”

Meekhof will sponsor Senate Bill 1 to repeal Michigan’s prevailing wage law. Senate Bill 1 will be introduced at the next senate session on Tuesday, January 20th. Current law requires all construction firms deployed to a government worksite to pay employees union scale wages costing taxpayers, schools and local communities more money.

“Since my days as a township official, I have viewed prevailing wages laws as an unnecessary burden on our schools and local communities,” said Meekhof. “It does not make sense that our taxpayers should have to pay more for improvements to our school and municipal buildings. The extra cost of prevailing wage laws siphons money away from other community priorities.”

Legislation to repeal the prevailing wage law consists of Senate Bills 1, 2 and 3. Senators Peter MacGregor, R-Rockford, and Dave Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, sponsored the other bills in the package to complete the repeal of prevailing wage laws.

“Michigan was a very different state when prevailing wage laws took effect fifty years ago,” said MacGregor, sponsor of Senate Bill 2. “As we work to foster a modern, 21st Century economy that will help drive Michigan forward, we must repeal these outdated, burdensome, costly and unnecessary laws.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to come up with an agreeable solution and save taxpayer dollars,” said Robertson.

The House of Representatives also announced legislation today to repeal the current prevailing wage statute in Michigan.

“The senate has made commonsense legislation a priority. It simply does not make sense that state government requires taxpayer-funded building projects cost more than other construction. Repealing the prevailing wage law eliminates a burdensome requirement that has no place in a growing and competitive economy,” said Meekhof.

LANSING, Mich. – State Sen. Peter MacGregor was sworn in as senator of the 28th district on Wednesday during a ceremony at the state Capitol. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young administered the oath of office.

MacGregor was joined in the Senate chamber by his wife, Christine, and son, Matthew, for the occasion.

“This is an exciting day and I am honored to serve Kent County residents as their state senator,” said MacGregor, R-Rockford. “Fixing Michigan and getting our state back on the path to prosperity has been my primary focus as a legislator, and that vital work continues to drive me in the state Senate. From improving the jobs climate, to easing the burden on taxpayers and reducing the size and scope of state government while making it more efficient and accountable; I am committed to fighting for our community and moving Michigan forward.”

MacGregor announced today that he will serve on the committees of Appropriations, Banking and Financial Services, and Commerce. He will also serve on the following Appropriations subcommittees: Capital Outlay, Environmental Quality, Human Services and Higher Education.

The senator also announced that his Lansing office is open and ready to meet constituent needs. His office is located in Room 715 of the Farnum Building at 125 W. Allegan Street in Lansing, across from the Michigan Capitol. Residents may also contact the senator via email at SenPMacGregor@senate.michigan.gov, by phone at 517-373-0797 or toll-free at 1-855-347-8028, and via U.S. mail at Sen. Peter MacGregor, P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909.

More information about the senator will be available on his forthcoming website at www.senatorpetermacgregor.com.